Effect of Surface Functionalization of Si3N4 Fillers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of TIMs

Abstract Thermal interface materials (TIMs), which consist of polymers and thermally conductive fillers, are crucial for improving heat dissipation. This study examines the impact of surface functionalization of Si₃N₄ thermal conductive fillers on the performance of TIMs. Si₃N₄ fillers are modified...

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Main Authors: Zaifu Jin, JinHong Li, Jiaqing Zhao, Yixuan Ge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-01-01
Series:Advanced Materials Interfaces
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400503
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author Zaifu Jin
JinHong Li
Jiaqing Zhao
Yixuan Ge
author_facet Zaifu Jin
JinHong Li
Jiaqing Zhao
Yixuan Ge
author_sort Zaifu Jin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Thermal interface materials (TIMs), which consist of polymers and thermally conductive fillers, are crucial for improving heat dissipation. This study examines the impact of surface functionalization of Si₃N₄ thermal conductive fillers on the performance of TIMs. Si₃N₄ fillers are modified with silane coupling agents of varying alkyl chain lengths, producing fillers with contact angles ranging from 25° to 151.2°, thereby ensuring enhanced interfacial compatibility with various polymers. The modified fillers are incorporated into three common polymers—silica gel (SG), epoxy resin (EP), and polyurethane (PU)—to fabricate TIMs. When the contact angle of Si₃N₄ fillers is 73.3°, they demonstrate excellent interfacial compatibility with EP, leading to a 54.37% increase in thermal conductivity and a 162.75% enhancement in elongation at break for the TIM. At a contact angle of 132.7°, the TIMs prepared with SG exhibit an 86.36% increase in thermal conductivity and a 23.88% increase in elongation at break. Given that the original Si₃N₄ already possesses adequate interfacial compatibility with PU, no further modification is required. These findings offer valuable insights for future research aimed at optimizing Si₃N₄ fillers and TIMs to achieve enhanced thermal and mechanical properties.
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spelling doaj-art-9958d7c850264de3af2c4a22b4d73f652025-08-20T02:58:54ZengWiley-VCHAdvanced Materials Interfaces2196-73502025-01-01121n/an/a10.1002/admi.202400503Effect of Surface Functionalization of Si3N4 Fillers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of TIMsZaifu Jin0JinHong Li1Jiaqing Zhao2Yixuan Ge3School of Materials Science and Technology China University of Geosciences (Beijing) Beijing 100083 ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Technology China University of Geosciences (Beijing) Beijing 100083 ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Technology China University of Geosciences (Beijing) Beijing 100083 ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Technology China University of Geosciences (Beijing) Beijing 100083 ChinaAbstract Thermal interface materials (TIMs), which consist of polymers and thermally conductive fillers, are crucial for improving heat dissipation. This study examines the impact of surface functionalization of Si₃N₄ thermal conductive fillers on the performance of TIMs. Si₃N₄ fillers are modified with silane coupling agents of varying alkyl chain lengths, producing fillers with contact angles ranging from 25° to 151.2°, thereby ensuring enhanced interfacial compatibility with various polymers. The modified fillers are incorporated into three common polymers—silica gel (SG), epoxy resin (EP), and polyurethane (PU)—to fabricate TIMs. When the contact angle of Si₃N₄ fillers is 73.3°, they demonstrate excellent interfacial compatibility with EP, leading to a 54.37% increase in thermal conductivity and a 162.75% enhancement in elongation at break for the TIM. At a contact angle of 132.7°, the TIMs prepared with SG exhibit an 86.36% increase in thermal conductivity and a 23.88% increase in elongation at break. Given that the original Si₃N₄ already possesses adequate interfacial compatibility with PU, no further modification is required. These findings offer valuable insights for future research aimed at optimizing Si₃N₄ fillers and TIMs to achieve enhanced thermal and mechanical properties.https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400503Si3N4silane coupling agentssurface functionalizationthermal interface materials
spellingShingle Zaifu Jin
JinHong Li
Jiaqing Zhao
Yixuan Ge
Effect of Surface Functionalization of Si3N4 Fillers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of TIMs
Advanced Materials Interfaces
Si3N4
silane coupling agents
surface functionalization
thermal interface materials
title Effect of Surface Functionalization of Si3N4 Fillers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of TIMs
title_full Effect of Surface Functionalization of Si3N4 Fillers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of TIMs
title_fullStr Effect of Surface Functionalization of Si3N4 Fillers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of TIMs
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Surface Functionalization of Si3N4 Fillers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of TIMs
title_short Effect of Surface Functionalization of Si3N4 Fillers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of TIMs
title_sort effect of surface functionalization of si3n4 fillers on thermal and mechanical properties of tims
topic Si3N4
silane coupling agents
surface functionalization
thermal interface materials
url https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400503
work_keys_str_mv AT zaifujin effectofsurfacefunctionalizationofsi3n4fillersonthermalandmechanicalpropertiesoftims
AT jinhongli effectofsurfacefunctionalizationofsi3n4fillersonthermalandmechanicalpropertiesoftims
AT jiaqingzhao effectofsurfacefunctionalizationofsi3n4fillersonthermalandmechanicalpropertiesoftims
AT yixuange effectofsurfacefunctionalizationofsi3n4fillersonthermalandmechanicalpropertiesoftims